THE WIRD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday of 34^th week in ordinary time, 2021

Dan 5: 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28

(Ps) Dan 3:62-67

Luke 21:12-19

Sts. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions, Martyrs

You will be persecuted…

Dear friends in Christ, the follower-ship of Jesus demands a sacrifice beyond one can fully understand and even appreciate. It is very difficult to understand why he still had such a follower-ship, after speaking so explicitly about what awaits his followers. But where the gift of faith exists, one will definitely also appreciate suffering as a part of the journey to eternal life.

In today’s gospel (Luke 21:12-19), Jesus spoke of the coming trial and tribulation; the persecution and martyrdom that will characterise the early Church. He says, “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony.” He however, assured the disciples of the divine help that will come to those who bear witness to his name, “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” The persecution will not come from external forces only, but also from one’s own home and family. But the Lord promised again, “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Persecutions come in different ways and under different forms today. Faith is needed to overcome. Trust in the Lord’s promise to remain with his church is the way to live through life knowing that everything else will pass away. The time will come when all the worldly things we struggle to amass, will not mean a thing to us, either by death or their destruction. Faith in God is what will count at such a time.

The first reading (Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28) reveals the power-drunk Belshazzar poking the God of Israel by asking that the vessels seized from the Temple in Jerusalem “be brought that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines might drink from them.” God who will not share his glory with anyone responded swiftly with the hand-writing on the wall, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.” The end has come to the kingdom of the one found wanting. Wherever you come to power, never let it dictate what you do. To get drunk of anything is to lose control. 

The battle against evil and all that is wrong in the world of today, is ours to fight. While we must pray, we must also dedicate ourselves to the fight, not without persecution though. It is your endurance that will win you your lives.

Let us pray: O God, the battle is great, give us the courage to stand firm and the strength to win for your glory and our salvation. Amen.

+Remain blessed